Jan began her music studies at the Saint Louis Institute of Music and continued by earning her Bachelor’s degree, graduating Cum Laude from Howard University, Washington (expired link)., completing a Masters degree in Education from Cambridge College, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her first major engagement at the Playboy club in Saint Louis lasted more than six months—until she and her group went on the road, touring extensively. Subsequently she performed at the Camellia room in the Drake Hotel, Chicago, the Hyatt Hotels in Washington (expired link)., and Atlanta, The Top of the Tower Club, New York City, Marriott Hotels in Florida, Washington DC , the St. Louis Chase-Park Plaza Hotel, Sheraton Hotels and numerous hotels, supper clubs and jazz clubs in the US , Boston and the New England area. Jan was the featured vocalist for the prestigious Boston Globe Jazz Festival in 1987 and in 1990, leading off the Jazz Festival in 1990.

As recording artist, Jan was the featured guest artist with the ‘Airmen of Note’-the official Jazz Ensemble of the US Air Force on a recording with international distribution. She has two recordings of her own, “Read Between The Lines” and “Not Commercial” and “ Back to Basics” Her most recent recording is “Piano Bar After Hours” .Jan was the Voice Department Chair for thirteen years at Berklee College of Muisc in Boston Ma. She then resumed her teaching position as Professor of Voice. Most recently ( May 2017) Jan retired from Berklee College and resides in her hometown of St. Louis Mo. She sings in the St. Louis area and teaches voice in her studio as well as giving Skype and Facetime Lessons.